25 adults and children were safeguarded in the county as part of a regional crackdown on drugs, which saw almost a quarter of a million pounds worth of drugs removed from our streets.

As part of Operation Scorpion, the five police forces in the South West region (Avon and Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire), alongside their respective offices of Police and Crime Commissioners, the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) and the charity Crimestoppers, worked together to combine resources and put a 'Ring of Steel' across the region to make it an uninhabitable environment for drugs and criminal gangs.

This time its focus was looking at the impact of drugs within our local communities and the intelligence police forces need from people to help disrupt the South West drugs market, dismantle drugs supply networks, and arrest those who profit from them.

In total, the operation, which ran from Monday, October 9, to Sunday, October 15, achieved the following results from across the region:

• 94 arrests made.

• More than £73,000 cash seized.

• Class A drugs (cocaine and heroin) valued at over £90,000.

• Class B drugs (cannabis) valued at over £155,000.

• 62 people safeguarded.

• Five dealer lines disrupted.

• Weapons seized included a crossbow, several knives, a samurai sword and a set of nunchucks.

• Numerous assets seized including Rolex watches, cars, laptops, and mobile phones.

In Gloucestershire, there was a heavy emphasis on diversionary work, with 25 adults and children safeguarded during the week.

Police cadets also visited youth clubs to help explain the risk of county lines drug dealing and neighbourhood policing officers spoke to communities about the issue.

People were also directed to help and addiction support available via our partners at Change, Grow, Live. Details of their services can be found at: http://www.changegrowlive.org/drug-alcohol.../gloucester 

Anyone who is concerned about drug-related crime in their area can report it online via www.gloucestershire.police.uk or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. If a crime is in progress, call 999.